The election was called after president Aslan Bzhania resigned in November 2024 due to protests against an agreement allowing wealthy Russians to purchase property in Abkhazia. He was replaced on an acting basis by his vice president, Badra Gunba. On 28 November 2024, the People's Assembly of Abkhazia announced that new presidential elections would be held on 15 February 2025, with the winner to be inaugurated within the next 30 days of the results being declared. Assembly speaker Lasha Ashuba has estimated that the election would cost up to 25 million rubles ($227,300).[1]
